The staff at Orchard Park are committed to helping students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the SC Graduate by ensuring all children learn at high levels. World class skills will allow our students to be prepared to learn and grow beyond their time at our school. We believe that we best meet the needs of each student through a workshop model in our classrooms across our school.
High quality teaching and learning occurs first at a core instructional level in reading, writing and mathematics. Through the workshop in each of these subject areas, teachers provide direct instruction to the whole group of students and then create a variety of independent work and small group activities that allow students to practice specific and targeted skills. This differentiated approach allows teachers to target the specific needs of individual students while also identifying opportunities for intervention or enrichment for all. In addition, this model allows students to apply creativity, develop critical thinking skills, foster collaboration and communicate with others in a variety of manners.
Students who need additional support and interventions as determined by common assessment data are given the opportunity to participate in researched based interventions through our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process and Student Support Team model. Intensive intervention opportunities are available through Reading Recovery and targeted reading and math groups led by our Interventionists for reading and math instruction, as well as our Lead Teacher/Interventionist. All interventions provided to students occur outside of the core instructional block so these students receive multiple doses of instruction and interventions daily.
Students who need additional enrichment beyond the core instructional level are provided opportunities for enrichment through our Gifted and Talented model that serves students in grades 3-5. Further, all students who show proficiency on grade level content are provided opportunities to further enrich their knowledge through a variety of STEAM based activities that occur frequently in classrooms across our school.
Orchard Park also offers a continuum of special services to meet the needs of each individual student and offers a variety of on-site related services including: Resource, Special Settings, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Physical Therapy, and English as a Second Language support.
In addition to the core academic areas, our school and staff also provide direct instruction in the Social Emotional area with a focus on the 5 core competencies as defined by CASEL; these core competencies include Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. We utilize the RULER framework to help provide direct instruction and tools to help our staff and students learn how to apply each of the competencies in all settings.
We believe the most important aspect of our school is the students who truly create a sense of excitement and enthusiasm about learning. Our “Eagles” are motivated to achieve and work hard to meet their individual potential. Effective teachers at Orchard Park are always looking to meet the needs of each of our students. This mission undergirds what caring adults believe are the elements of a constructive learning environment. We will value, defend and cultivate our mission: To ensure high levels of learning for all students and adults. It is our collective goal to help them “Soar High with Pride” each day.
Matthew Johnson, Principal
